DNA Dendrimers as Thermal Ablation Devices

Abstract

DNA dendrimers for targeted delivery of radiation absorbing nanoparticles and thermal ablation of cells and tissues are provided. Also provided are methods of making and methods of using the DNA dendrimers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of thermally ablating cells or tissues comprising:
 a) contacting the cells or tissues with a DNA dendrimer linked to at least one radiation absorbing nanoparticle and at least one targeting moiety such that the targeting moiety binds to a complementary target on the surface of cells or tissues; and   b) exposing the cells or tissues with the bound DNA dendrimer to externally applied electromagnetic radiation at a power and for a time sufficient to cause nanoparticles linked to the DNA dendrimer to emit heat, thereby resulting in thermal ablation of cells or tissues bound to the DNA dendrimer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one radiation absorbing nanoparticle is a carbon-based nanoparticle or a metallic nanoparticle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one radiation absorbing nanoparticle is a gold nanoparticle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation applied is RF radiation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cells or tissues are contacted with the DNA dendrimer in vivo or ex vivo. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cells or tissues are selected from the group consisting of solid tumors, circulating tumor cells, cancer metastases, microorganisms and biological materials for transplantation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein components of the DNA dendrimer are administered separately and allowed to assemble post-administration on the cells or tissues. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the DNA dendrimer is parenterally administered to a human. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising monitoring a location of the DNA dendrimer using a tracking label linked to the DNA dendrimer. 
     
     
         10 . A method for imaging cells or tissues comprising:
 a) contacting the cells or tissues with a DNA dendrimer linked to at least one radiation absorbing nanoparticle and at least one targeting moiety such that the targeting moiety binds to a complementary target on the surface of cells or tissues, wherein the DNA dendrimer comprises at least one metallic radiation absorbing nanoparticle; and   b) imaging the cells or tissues using the metallic radiation absorbing nanoparticle bound to the cells or tissues.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one radiation absorbing nanoparticle is a gold nanoparticle. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cells or tissues are imaged using reflective imaging, photothermal interference contrast, dark-field imaging, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, photoacoustic tomography, optical coherence tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or Raman spectroscopy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein components of the DNA dendrimer are administered separately and allowed to assemble post-administration on the cells or tissues. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the cells or tissues are contacted in vivo.